Teacher's viral Facebook post shines light on child hunger

Earlier this month, Katherine Gibson Howton, and Oregon teacher, shared it to Facebook along with a poignant caption:

"We are your children's teachers. We know that we may have more time with your child than you do," she began. "We don't want them to be hungry, and not just because a hungry child can't learn but because we care about them. Hungry feels scary."

The photo shows a cabinet Howton shares with a fellow teacher; it's filled with food. "Children come into our classroom everyday telling us they are hungry," she explained. "Many more never say a word because they are embarrassed and it is up to us to notice that they are distracted, tired, grumpy."

Howton says that skilled, compassionate teachers ask their students about food -- and perhaps go the extra mile to make them a meal.

Tacos are a crowd favorite because of the endless possibilities of fresh veggies and toppings that can be added - olives, tomatoes, avocado, greens, caramelized onions and peppers, etc. Tacos make it super easy to eat the rainbow in one sitting.

These Chicken Avocado Pitas can be whipped up in a jiff, served hot or cold, and will satisfy even the pickiest crowd. I love the bright colors of the cherry tomatoes and fresh avocado. Made extra creamy with greek yogurt sauce, you don’t need to feel guilty for enjoying this so much. Healthy meets delicious!

There are so many reasons to love this recipe. It takes 10 minutes to make, start to finish. It serves 4 and each serving has a serving of veggies and lean protein to help keep you fueled for your day.

You can add a grain to the bowl if you like (brown rice or quinoa would be yummy). For a paleo version, omit the feta and yogurt-based dressing and use your favorite paleo salad dressing (or oil/vinegar combo) instead.

Everyone knows a good sandwich starts with the bread, and this is particularly true when you decide to go the open-face route. You want something light and fluffy, but it needs to be hearty enough to stand-up to all the badass toppings.

The portabello acts as the meaty base, with a spread of homemade hemp seed basil pesto and topped with artichoke hearts, onions, and creamy avocado. It's got a ton of flavor and makes a great lunch, plus takes just a few to whip up.

Switch up the types of veggies you add to this Dairy Free Mac N Cheese recipe to introduce your little ones to new greens. Try peas, kale, or even spinach in place of broccoli for a nutrient-dense lunch option.

Making your meals fun doesn’t have to require a lot of work. Sometimes it’s not about cutting your entree into the shape of whatever you want to create but rather taking what it is and working with it from there.

Not only is this pizza freaking bomb because it has super fresh tomatoes and that sweet balsamic glaze, but it’s got THREE kinds of cheese! Fresh Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan… the more cheese the better!

The page Love What Matters reposted Howton's photos, where people shared their own stories of when teachers helped them in this way.

"I will never forget the kindness of my first grade teacher," one woman commented. "I didn't have the type of parents who made sure I had breakfast and i [sic] would sit in class with a rumbling stomach most days. One day it was particularly noticeable during a quiet time, and she took me into the hallway and gave me crackers from her purse so the other kids wouldn't see. I'll never forget that."

Another commenter said she would help out teachers with this issue. "When my kids were in elementary school I would every other month buy a bigger thing of snacks and water for the teachers to store," she said. "They already buy enough for the class room why not help with the 'I forgot my snack today' cabinet."